THE EXETER DIGEST

Exeter Digest #44: St Bridget Nurseries judicial review - Heavitree Road appeal - Allotment fees consultation

Upcoming community and culture highlights include a festival of children’s stories at Emmanuel Hall and a short film festival at Exeter Phoenix.

TOP STORIES

Judge quashes planning permission for 350 homes at St Bridget Nurseries in Old Rydon Lane

High Court judgement finds city council did not properly discharge duties or take material considerations into account, council officer seriously misled planning committee and county council failed in statutory local highway authority role. Full story here.

Heavitree Road police station & magistrates court redevelopment appeal dismissed

Devon & Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner and offshore development partner sent back to drawing board after attempt to overturn city council decision to refuse two huge student/co-living blocks fails. Full story here.

Council plans huge allotment fees increases to claw back cash from 1,500 city gardeners and growers

Plot holders provided with incomplete picture as consultation held which does not comply with council’s own charter and delayed scrutiny report that omits key survey findings suggests council aims to turn profit from allotment provision. Full story here.

Subscribe to The Exeter Digest - Exeter Observer's essential free email newsletter

Your personal information will be processed and stored in accordance with our Privacy Policy

ON OUR RADAR

What If …? // Emmanuel Hall

A festival of children’s stories hosted by Theatre Alibi featuring performances and interactive workshops. Wednesday 31 January to Saturday 17 February. More details here.

Two Short Nights // Exeter Phoenix

A short film festival showcasing local, national and international talent with a panel discussion, awards ceremony and more. Thursday 8 and Friday 9 February. More details here.

George Oliver, forgotten Exeter humanitarian // St Nicholas Priory

A fundraising talk about the priest, historian and author who lived in the priory in the 19th century. Tuesday 13 February. More details here.

Isca Ensemble chamber orchestral concert // St David’s Church

An evening of Hadyn, Bach and Mozart with violin, viola and oboe soloists. Saturday 24 February. More details here.

MISSED EXETER DIGEST #43?

Read it on our website where you can help us reclaim local journalism from £8.50 per month.

More stories
Devon County Council leader James McInnes

Devon County Council plan to postpone local elections fails as government rejects devolution fast-track application

County council leader James McInnes sought ministerial approval for proposals despite Devon falling short of devolution white paper eligibility criteria.

English Devolution White Paper cover

South West peninsula devolution in disarray as Devon, Exeter, Plymouth, Torbay & Cornwall seek conflicting goals and seven Devon districts left out in cold

Contempt for local democracy laid bare by unlawful County Hall failure to publish plan to postpone local elections while Westminster looks set to back local Labour bids for disproportionate influence in regional governance reorganisation.

Clarendon House, Exeter

Clarendon House developer submits plan to convert office block to 32 residential flats alongside 310-bed PBSA proposals

Application for change of use of existing building to be followed by application for demolition and replacement with much taller student accommodation complex following two rounds of informal public consultation on scheme.

Bar chart of Devon County Council cumulative SEND deficit 2019-20 to 2031-32 at March 2024 with 2024-25 £14.7 million month eight excess overspend added

Devon County Council “safety valve” deal target breach rises by 40% to £20.4m as SEND overspend reaches £51.6m

Cumulative SEND deficit now expected to peak at £227m while deal targets set to be missed every year to 2032, risking County Hall bankruptcy if government withdraws support.

Devon County Council 2025-26 budget press release image

Devon County Council 2025-26 budget to bring more service delivery cuts

£22 million cuts concealed by £60 million costs increases as council misrepresents financial position and fails to answer questions about where cuts will fall.

Mark Kingscote and Alison Hernandez

Deputy police and crime commissioner Mark Kingscote resigns five months after defiant appointment by Alison Hernandez

Resignation follows appointment of third Devon & Cornwall Police chief constable in eighteen months after suspensions of Jim Colwell in November and Will Kerr in July 2023.

On Our Radar
Digital Media Literacy seminars graphic

MONDAY 27 JANUARY TO MONDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2025

Let’s Talk About: Digital Media Literacy

A series of free seminars aimed at tackling misinformation and information overload in the digital world.

EXETER LIBRARY

Our World from Space events collage

SATURDAY 15 FEBRUARY 2025

Our World from Space

Exeter Science Centre hosts a day of hands-on satellite science at Emmanuel Hall.

EMMANUEL HALL

Iryna Ilnytska in Exeter Cathedral

SATURDAY 15 FEBRUARY 2025

Aspects of Love

A lunchtime concert with mezzo-soprano Iryna Ilnytska to raise funds for Ukraine.

EXETER CATHEDRAL